Nearly half a million visited Godspeed

America's 400th Anniversary last week announced the official results of the 2006 Godspeed sail, an 80-day goodwill tour to six East Coast cities.

The 17th-century ship and its Landing Party Festival received a warm reception in each port city with more than 456,000 people attending the free event, surpassing planners' original estimates of 250,000 to 350,000 visitors.

The Godspeed Sail, which began in late May, visited Alexandria, Baltimore, Philadelphia, New York, Boston, and departed its final port Newport, on July 30. "We are very excited about the success of the Godspeed Sail," said Jeanne Zeidler, executive director of Jamestown 2007. "People reacted enthusiastically to the ship and the festival, demonstrating an intense interest in the nation's origins."

The Godspeed Sail took American history on tour, providing a tangible way for citizens to connect with the founding of the nation. The sail was designed to highlight Jamestown's pivotal role in American history on the eve of America's 400th Anniversary. Jamestown's legacies include the introduction of democracy, free enterprise, and a multi-cultural society to American culture.